The Merseysiders are also willing to bide their time before making a cut-price swoop for Newcastle left-back Jose Enrique, who appears to have fallen out of favour with the club’s owners at St James’ Park after publicly criticising the club’s transfer policy.

Another club on the verge of finalising a triple swoop are Liverpool, who have targeted Pachuca striker Marco Bueno, Albacete forward Nacho and United States Under-17 striker Villyan Bijev, who played for Cal Odyssey.